9-5 WAHM's, what do you do with reception age DC after school?

[TheLemur]

I am a WAHM with a contracted 9-5 job (so not self employed/evening working or anything). My boss is lovely and flexible and trusts me to do my hours even if they're not exactly 9-5 if you see what I mean.

To this end I think he will be fine for me to pop out and collect DS from school (5 mins walk away) when he starts in Sept. However, I'm not sure what will happen with DS then ie: after 3.30pm. I will need to go back to work (which often involves being on the phone and concentrating hard at the PC) til at least 5 if not 5.30 to make up my time.

DS will have just turned 4 come Sept (August baby) and I don't know whether he will be able to 'look after himself' in the house until I finish work or whether he will get in the way of things. He is on the sensible side, and could probably just sit infront of the TV quite happily although I imagine I would feel guilty about this which might interrupt my 'work head'. He's not the sort to play on his own sadly.

My great CM could pick DS up 2 days a week after school and give him his tea etc til 6pm. I could do the other days myself or maybe use the after school club but TBH I would quite like to avoid the costs involved and I don't want to chop and change DS too much as I'm sure he'll be knackered by school

If anyone has any input as to what might work/what works for them/what I can expect of a 4yo after school it would be much appreciated

I work from home quite a lot, at least 2 days per week. When I get home from work with DD1 (she's in reception) we have a little chat about her day and we have a snack. Then she watches TV for half an hour, and then I set her up in the kitchen doing colouring, practising her letters etc. I always plan these things though, ie, "ok I've got some Octonauts pictures to colour in...." By then it's getting on for 5pm. I do tend to finish a little bit early on those days.

HTH

Thanks coffee, that is very helpful. Are you in the kitchen with her when she is colouring etc? My office is up 2 flights of stairs

From what you have said it sounds like it might be an idea to use the childminder on 2 days so I can work later and then have DS on the other days and finish earlier

It really depends on her mood. Sometimes she's so tired all she can do is watch tv or look at a book, which means I can tuck myself away in the office and keep an ear open. Other times she wants to chat chat chat at which point I have to give up and make a mental note to do an hour or so later when her and DD2 are in bed.

Flexibility is the key I think

For what it's worth, I used to come home from school and my mum would be in another room with her friend who was helping her to write a book and I found it awful.

To have a long day and then be 'shut out' and ignored for ages was just foul.

I don't know if it would be better if you had half an hour together first or not but if you're up 2 flights of stairs, I think that would feel quite isolating for your DD.

My second was so knackered that she used to lie on the sofa and have a little nap! I have found now she's a bit older (now 5) afterschool club is good a couple of nights a week, but not too much as too exhausting, but if you do two days with the CM, then perhaps the other three days with the telly on yourself, you may be able to introduce afterschool club once he's settled. Several reception children in my dd2's class to to it too, it's another option anyway.

I used to work from home and I just couldn't concentrate knowing ds was there and feeling I should be with him instead of in front of the computer, there was also the risk of him making loads of noise when I was on the phone.
I have a lovely childminder though, so I had to send him there, ds is 6 now and even though I tell him he needs to be quiet if im on the phone, sometimes he just can't help himself if he's bursting to tell me something, its just their age, I think chilminder is the way to go.

Thanks everyone, you have confirmed some of what I was thinking (won't be able to concentrate/take calls with DS in the house) plus that's very interesting to hear about the isolation from the childs side RememberToPlaywiththeKids, thanks - I hadn't thought of that and will certainly bear it in mind.

I have called the CM and booked the 2 days and will see how the other days go at home before deciding about the after school club. Thanks again for the input it really helped me decide.

DH and i both wah, but for companies, and ds is booked into afterschool club (which we don't pay extra for), and if we can we pick him up early one day a week and make the hours up elsewhere. It seems to work so far

Your DS may have learnt not to do this already, but my DS2 only really wants to talk to me if I'm on the phone to somebody. He is in Reception, and can be a little demanding if he's had a bad day at school. You know your DS, but I think childminder is a good option - and maybe you just need to keep everything up for review.